'Can't change it': Liverpool boss Arne Slot says people have the 'wrong opinion' of him after Tottenham loss
Today at 03:30 AM
Liverpool suffered their first loss of 2025 as they were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal.
The Reds can still make amends in the second leg at Anfield later this month, but it was a disappointing result away from home as a late goal from Lucas Bergvall did the trick for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
It could be argued that Bergvall shouldn’t have been on the pitch to score the winner, but it wasn’t Liverpool’s night as their performance wasn’t as good as it can be.
Arne Slot was quite animated during the game and made an interesting claim about his conduct with the referees in his press conference.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot addresses ‘wrong opinion’ about him
Bergvall took centre stage in North London as he first picked up a booking in the 68th minute for a foul on Luis Diaz.
Nearly 15 minutes later, Kostas Tsimikas was on the wrong end of a seemingly dangerous tackle from the Swede and had to go off the pitch to receive treatment.
Tottenham made their man advantage count as Bergvall scored a good goal from close range after being played through by Dominic Solanke, with the Liverpool players left incensed as they believed he shouldn’t have been on the pitch.
Slot was visibly frustrated with the referee as he felt Liverpool were on the wrong end of a refereeing decision that cost them the game.
The Liverpool manager said he spoke to the referee after the game, who told him that it wasn’t a second yellow as Bergvall didn’t stop a counterattack.
Slot was frustrated when the incident happened but appeared to stay calm at the full-time whistle.
When asked about his conduct, the Dutchman suggested that people have the wrong opinion about his conduct with referees in his home country.
“I don’t think I am known in Holland for [being] the person who always stays calm with referee decisions!” said Slot in his post-match press conference.
“Although I do think they have the wrong opinion about me over there when it comes to refereeing decisions! The decision is made, you can’t change it.”
What next for Liverpool?
The return leg at Anfield gives them a chance to make amends as they aim to defend their Carabao Cup crown.
However, Liverpool do have a chance to return to winning ways when they face Accrington Stanley at home in the FA Cup on Sunday.
The result against Tottenham was far from ideal, but Slot and co won’t lose too much sleep as at the end of the day, a poor refereeing decision cost them a goal in a tricky cup tie.
